Apparatus and method for a matrix acoustic array

Abstract

A device and method for wellbore inspection comprising a downhole tool. The downhole tool may comprise a wireline, a sensor cartridge, and a plurality of centralizers. The method for detecting defects within a wellbore may comprise inserting a downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a wireline, a sensor cartridge, and a plurality of centralizers. The method also includes producing an acoustic signal with the plurality of centralizers and recording the acoustic signal with a sensor, wherein the sensor records the acoustic signal within an aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wellbore inspection downhole tool, comprising:
 a wireline; 
 a sensor cartridge, wherein the sensor cartridge further comprises at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is a monopole, dipole, or quadrupole, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor surface, wherein the at least one sensor surface records acoustic noise within an aperture, wherein apertures for at least one sensor surface are combined into a larger aperture; and 
 a plurality of centralizers. 
 
     
     
       2. The wellbore inspection downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein apertures for at least one sensor surface are combined into a synthetic aperture. 
     
     
       3. The wellbore inspection downhole tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a gyroscope. 
     
     
       4. A method for detecting defects within a wellbore, comprising:
 (A) inserting a downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a wireline, a sensor cartridge, and a plurality of centralizers; 
 (B) producing an acoustic signal with the plurality of centralizers; 
 (C) recording the acoustic signal with a sensor, wherein the sensor records the acoustic signal within an aperture; and 
 (D) transmitting the recorded acoustic signals to personnel through the wireline in real-time, wherein transmitting the recorded acoustic signal is accomplished when the downhole tool is moving. 
 
     
     
       5. A method for detecting defects within a wellbore, comprising:
 (A) inserting a downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a wireline, a sensor cartridge, and a plurality of centralizers; 
 (B) producing an acoustic signal with the plurality of centralizers; 
 (C) recording the acoustic signal with a sensor, wherein the sensor records the acoustic signal within an aperture; and 
 (D) combining apertures into a larger aperture, wherein the combination is performed using a phase control. 
 
     
     
       6. A method for detecting defects within a wellbore, comprising:
 (A) inserting a downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a wireline, a sensor cartridge, and a plurality of centralizers; 
 (B) producing an acoustic signal with the plurality of centralizers; 
 (C) recording the acoustic signal with a sensor, wherein the sensor records the acoustic signal within an aperture; and 
 (D) combining apertures into a synthetic aperture, wherein the combination is performed using a Hilbert transform.